Karl-Jesco Otto Robert von Puttkamer (24 March 1900 – 4 March 1981) was a German rear admiral who was naval adjutant to Adolf Hitler, the leader (Führer) of Nazi Germany during World War II.

Puttkamer was born in Frankfurt (Oder) and was a member of the Puttkamer family, related to Otto von Bismarck's wife. He joined the German Imperial Navy as an officer cadet in 1917 and served on a heavy cruiser in World War I.

Puttkamer occurred during World War I on 2 July 1917 as a volunteer in the Imperial Navy's Seeoffizierslaufbahn regiment.

In December 1917 he served on the grand battleship Kaiserin. In the final months of the war, Puttkamer graduated at Mürwik's Naval Academy in a navigation course. He then took leave and joined the Freikorps.

Post-war

In September 1920 he again took courses at Mürwik' Naval Academy and training on the gun-boat Niobe.

On 1 May 1923, he was promoted to lieutenant. After his promotion, he was transferred to the torpedo u-boat G7. He then worked as a group officer at Mürwik's Naval Academy.

In September 1926, he became commander of the torpedo boat Albatros under Karl Donitz, a position he would hold until October 1930, where he was promoted to lieutenant-commander of the torpedo boat Adler.

After Puttkamer had been given command of the Adler, he studied and in 1933 graduated as a naval liaison officer at Mürwik' Naval Academy. Shortly after this, he served as naval adjutant to the General Staff until June 1935. In July 1935, he was transferred to the staff of the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy.[1]

World War II

Immediately prior to the outbreak of World War II he was the captain of a frigate. He then returned to the role as adjutant to Hitler and in September 1943 he was promoted to rear admiral.

Puttkamer was injured on 20 July 1944 when the bomb exploded during the July 20 Plot attempt to kill Hitler and was awarded the Wound Badge.

On 20 April 1945, Hitler told his staff:

"The situation during the last few days has changed to such an extent that I am forced to reduce my staff."

Puttkamer was ordered by Hitler to leave the Berlin Führerbunker. On 23 April, Puttkamer and several others were flown by aircraft to the Obersalzberg. Puttkamer was ordered to the Berghof to destroy Hitler's papers there. Therefore, Puttkamer was not with Hitler during his final few days in the Führerbunker. Following the German surrender on 8 May 1945, Puttkamer was held in captivity until May 1947.

Death

He died in 1981 at age 80 in Munich. He was buried at Waldfriedhof, in Munich.